Kathrine Switzer can be considered a pioneer
for women's distance running.

In 1967 she was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon wearing an official race number. An irate race official tried to remove her forcibly from the race, but supporters pushed him off the route. The event gained her worldwide notoriety and inspired her to create the Avon Running Program - a 26 race, 16 country circuit for women's 10K runs and 5K walks. Switzer served as the program's director. In 1974, she won the New York City Marathon. With Avon's support, she was the driving force behind a women's marathon event in the 1984 Olympic Games. In 1986, Switzer formed her own company, AtAlanta Sports Promotion, Inc. She is well known for her broadcast and journalism work as a commentator for ABC, NBC, CBS, Turner Sports Broadcasting, the Olympic Games and the Goodwill Games. She has commented on 18 Boston, 14 New York City, 12 Pittsburgh and six Los Angeles Marathons.

Switzer has run 35 Marathons and in 1975 was ranked sixth in the world and third in the U.S. She has received numerous citations and awards for her efforts in advancing sports opportunities for women, including a New York States Regents Medal of Excellence, the Billie Jean King Award from the Women's Foundation and an Honor Fellow from the National Association of Girls and Women. Switzer received her BA and MS from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications.